Pepe Mel may still be relying on a translator but whatever he said at half-time here produced a dramatic response, helping the Spaniard to finally secure his first victory at the eighth attempt.

Mel appeared doomed to become the second sacking at the Hawthorns in a matter of days early on, following Nicolas Anelka’s acrimonious exit, but this could not only prove vital to his job prospects but West Bromwich Albion’s Premier League survival.

Youssouf Mulumbu’s sublime finish five minutes from time hoisted the West Midlanders three points clear of the relegation zone and increased Swansea’s own fears of operating in the Championship next season.

The noose that seems to have been around Mel’s neck will loosen after this deserved victory, though, and sends Albion into crucial games against Hull City, Cardiff and Norwich with their previously shattered confidence restored. This was only their second win in 19 league games.

“We needed to win and in football confidence is all,” said Mel. “At half-time we spoke about the problems and the future face to face and we needed to change.

“The pressure is the same in all countries, my work is dangerous. Being a head coach is a difficult job but the most important thing is the players.

“I believe we will stay up and the game against Hull City next weekend is the most important for us. We need to win again. But I am so pleased to get the first win.”

It has been a nightmare introduction to English football for Mel, with his winless start played out against the backdrop of the Anelka quenelle controversy.

Albion’s season has seemingly lurched from one disaster to another this season and Mel’s tenure had threatened to be even shorter than Rene Meulensteen’s 75 days at Fulham, if this had resulted in another defeat.

Many of Albion’s 2,000 supporters waved Spanish flags in support of Mel but they were at half-mast after only two minutes.

Roland Lamah was sent down the right and easily cut inside Steven Reid before drilling a low shot across Ben Foster into the bottom corner.

Foster was required to produce a fine reflex save to prevent Wilfried Bony from adding a second, with Swansea dominant and Albion abysmal.

But whatever Mel said at half-time worked. Albion were suddenly full of confidence, snapping into tackles and attacking Swansea. They were rewarded six minutes into the half when Stephane Sessegnon – anonymous in the opening 45 minutes – drilled a low 20-yard shot into the corner.

Swansea were now nervous, being hurried into mistakes, and Mel’s team were transformed.

The introduction of Michu, for his first appearance in three months, temporarily lifted Swansea’s spirits and Jonathan de Guzman wasted a decent chance when he shot straight at Foster.

But Albion always looked likely to produce another goal and Mulumbu’s finish five minutes from time was sublime, advancing towards the area before rolling his shot into the corner.

The boos that rang out at the final whistle will have been painful for Monk to endure. That emphatic win over Cardiff in February must seem like a long time ago.

“I didn’t see this coming,” he said. “It’s a wake-up call for the players because they’ve seen a team scrapping for their lives and that’s what they’ve got to do now. We’ve got to match that every week.

“If you’ve got them on the ropes and you don’t knock them out you’re always open to the risk of them coming back into the match and that’s what happened.

“We’ve got enough to survive but you’ve got to have that will to fight.”